E-commerce Product Designer: Interview with Margot Barbosa

Our consultants work daily on a variety of issues and ambitious projects. In this series of interviews, they share their experience , their vision of the profession , and the lessons learned from their fieldwork.

For this seventh episode, we meet Margot Barbosa , Product Designer at UX-Republic since last October. With ten years of experience in digital, gained both in agencies and at major players such as SNCF and BNP Paribas , she now brings her expertise to Auchan . Between redesigning e-commerce interfaces , creating synergies with marketing, and integrating AI into the design process , she shares her vision of the profession: a constant balance between rigorous execution and user empathy.

From a passion for graphic design to a macro vision of Product Design

Paul: Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey to Product Design?

Margot: I'm Margot, a Product Designer at UX-Republic . After a two-year technical degree in Multimedia and Internet Professions, I continued my studies with a professional bachelor's degree and then a master's degree in artistic creation and art direction. A large part of my career was spent in work-study programs , notably at SNCF (the French national railway company) and BNP Paribas, which allowed me to experience the realities of the field very early on.

I always knew I wanted to work in this field: from the 3rd grade onwards, I chose to do my observation internship with a designer! During my first years in internal communication and then in an agency, I developed a strong sensitivity to UI design and web design.

This dual background gives me a more comprehensive view of Product Design today . It's essential to successfully reconcile user needs , business objectives, and marketing challenges, while leveraging data to guide decisions.

Paul: What is your current role with the client?

Margot: I am on a long-term assignment at Auchan , on a major project to redesign the digital experience . My daily work is organized around several strategic verticals: the customer area, including the loyalty card and the savings account, the display of the product catalogue, but also the checkout , that is to say the whole journey from the basket to payment including the choice of the drive slot.

My role begins with wireframing and structuring user journeys, then continues with interface design in Figma . I then prepare deliverables for the developers, ensuring their consistency with the Design System and proper tokenization of components. The goal is to maintain a consistent experience across all channels.

AI in everyday life: a combination of exploration and time saving

Paul: How does artificial intelligence transform your way of designing?

Margot: I see AI more as a daily partner . When I'm working alone on a subject and I'm hesitating between several options, it helps me decide, especially on accessibility criteria or during research phases.

As part of the redesign for Auchan, I implemented a personalized assistant that integrates all our user research data , both quantitative and qualitative. If I'm unsure between two design options, I ask this assistant. It reviews the studies and suggests the solution that best aligns with the feedback from the field . This saves a significant amount of time during the verification phase, although it's still essential to maintain a critical eye to spot any potential errors.

Directly within Figma , AI also helps us quickly explore layout ideas or build interactive prototypes. It doesn't replace our work, but it speeds up the thinking process and frees up time for creative exploration.

Critical thinking and human sensitivity: the key for the new generation

Paul: What advice would you give to future designers who are training today with AI?

Margot: My first piece of advice would be to maintain a very sharp critical mind . Don't be afraid to carry out the execution tasks yourself at the beginning of your journey. For me, this is essential: you have to understand and master the details of micro-design before you want to focus solely on a more macro vision.

AI is a powerful amplifier of thought , but it lacks both the strategic vision of a company and the human sensitivity of a designer . Yet our profession is based first and foremost on empathy.

To continue progressing and remaining relevant in one's profession, it is therefore necessary to learn to use AI at the right time , as a tool capable of accelerating certain tasks, without ceasing to develop one's own knowledge and perspective.

Monitoring, visual culture and inspirations

Paul: How do you maintain your design culture and what are your reference resources?

Margot: For everything related to e-commerce ergonomics and UX , I regularly consult the American website of the Baymard Institute . They publish very in-depth user studies on major players like Amazon, which allows you to observe and compare good and bad interface practices very concretely.

On LinkedIn and social media, I am also Zander Whitehurst , who offers very dynamic micro-tutorials about new Figma features and UI trends.

Because I have a strong background in graphic design , I also find a lot of inspiration outside the web, particularly in film. I'm a big fan of Wes Anderson . His work with symmetry, composition, and framing creates a visual order that I find fascinating, and that I like to keep in mind when I'm designing interfaces on a daily basis.

A word for the community

Paul: What message would you like to convey to designers?

Margot: Let's keep in mind that our priority remains empathy for users . We mustn't get lost solely in the numbers or the technical aspects. Our role remains to create simple, accessible, and inclusive products , designed for everyone, regardless of their limitations or disabilities.